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1
YHC MSS 0143
Carl “Jerry” Beck Papers
1936-1988
Scope and Content: The Carl “Jerry” Beck Papers consist of handwritten memoirs, correspondence,
scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, various documents relating to Mr. Beck’s work as a union
organizer, photographs and ephemera. Carl “Jerry” Beck was a union organizer, who began his career
with the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC) and continued with the United Steelworkers
of America (USWA) and the CIO. He was elected president of USWA Local 1462 in 1942.
Subsequently, he became the leader of the Mahoning Valley CIO Council. He was a staff
representative for the AFL-CIO, District 18, and for the USWA, District 20.
Printed materials have been separated to the library. The remaining materials have been organized
into the following series:
Series 1- Scrapbooks and newspaper clippings. This series consists of two scrapbooks of
newspaper clippings covering the struggle to organize steelworkers and negotiate with the steel
companies from 1937-1938 and 1941-1947, as well as fifteen newspaper sections and numerous
clippings of newspaper articles. The newspaper sections are arranged alphabetically, with the
Youngstown Vindicator articles also arranged chronologically. The clippings have been organized by
category.
Series 2- Correspondence. This series consists of correspondence relating to union organizing
activities, and includes 1937 letters authorizing safe passage into Republic mills for individuals not
employed by the steel company, a 1941 letter explaining the settlement of Republic Steel Corp. v.
CI.O., et al, a Republic Steel letter to employees expressing anti-union organizing views, 1950 AFL-CIO
correspondence with Mr. Beck relating to expense reimbursement, and 1969 correspondence
related to union organizing efforts in the region.
Series 3- Memoirs and notes. This series consists of Beck’s handwritten narrative and chronology
of his childhood and family history, including descriptions of conditions and activities in local mills
through the Little Steel Strike of 1937. Additional notes relating to the Wagner Act and subsequent
Supreme Court rulings and a narrative of the (Republic Steel) Stop 5 riot are also part of this series.
Series 4- Labor organizing materials. This series contains materials relating to Beck’s activities as
an AFL-CIO district staff member, and includes such items as notices related to organizing efforts at
Trumbull county hospitals (1972), program and publicity from a 1981 testimonial dinner in honor of
Dan Thomas, USWA staff member, District office and Staff Development and Training Institute
participants rosters (1967), constitution of the Northeast Ohio Senior Citizens Council of Organized
Labor (1971), and miscellaneous papers.
Series 5- Ephemera. This series consists of items which document Beck’s involvement in union
organizing, from his 1937 SWOC picket card, 1948 CIO Telephone Workers Organizing Committee
card and 1960 USWA membership book (dues record), to his District 20 Staff business cards and
USWA New Member Kit of informational pamphlets. A Christmas card from USWA International, a
CIO tribute to Philip Murray, and an authorization card complete the series.
Series 6- Convention badges. This series consists of fifty-eight convention badges, most with
distinctive medallions attached, for delegates and guests to various USWA and CIO related
constitutional conventions, as well as an acrylic paperweight commemorating the U.S. Bicentenniel
and 40th year of the USWA, a metal honorary membership card, stamped “Carl E. Beck - Local

This item is a finding aid or inventory to an Ohio Historical Society collection or series. Finding aids are descriptive access tools that provide more complete information about a collection than you will find in the online catalog record. For more information on the collection and to view its contents, contact the Ohio Historical Society.

1
YHC MSS 0143
Carl “Jerry” Beck Papers
1936-1988
Scope and Content: The Carl “Jerry” Beck Papers consist of handwritten memoirs, correspondence,
scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, various documents relating to Mr. Beck’s work as a union
organizer, photographs and ephemera. Carl “Jerry” Beck was a union organizer, who began his career
with the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC) and continued with the United Steelworkers
of America (USWA) and the CIO. He was elected president of USWA Local 1462 in 1942.
Subsequently, he became the leader of the Mahoning Valley CIO Council. He was a staff
representative for the AFL-CIO, District 18, and for the USWA, District 20.
Printed materials have been separated to the library. The remaining materials have been organized
into the following series:
Series 1- Scrapbooks and newspaper clippings. This series consists of two scrapbooks of
newspaper clippings covering the struggle to organize steelworkers and negotiate with the steel
companies from 1937-1938 and 1941-1947, as well as fifteen newspaper sections and numerous
clippings of newspaper articles. The newspaper sections are arranged alphabetically, with the
Youngstown Vindicator articles also arranged chronologically. The clippings have been organized by
category.
Series 2- Correspondence. This series consists of correspondence relating to union organizing
activities, and includes 1937 letters authorizing safe passage into Republic mills for individuals not
employed by the steel company, a 1941 letter explaining the settlement of Republic Steel Corp. v.
CI.O., et al, a Republic Steel letter to employees expressing anti-union organizing views, 1950 AFL-CIO
correspondence with Mr. Beck relating to expense reimbursement, and 1969 correspondence
related to union organizing efforts in the region.
Series 3- Memoirs and notes. This series consists of Beck’s handwritten narrative and chronology
of his childhood and family history, including descriptions of conditions and activities in local mills
through the Little Steel Strike of 1937. Additional notes relating to the Wagner Act and subsequent
Supreme Court rulings and a narrative of the (Republic Steel) Stop 5 riot are also part of this series.
Series 4- Labor organizing materials. This series contains materials relating to Beck’s activities as
an AFL-CIO district staff member, and includes such items as notices related to organizing efforts at
Trumbull county hospitals (1972), program and publicity from a 1981 testimonial dinner in honor of
Dan Thomas, USWA staff member, District office and Staff Development and Training Institute
participants rosters (1967), constitution of the Northeast Ohio Senior Citizens Council of Organized
Labor (1971), and miscellaneous papers.
Series 5- Ephemera. This series consists of items which document Beck’s involvement in union
organizing, from his 1937 SWOC picket card, 1948 CIO Telephone Workers Organizing Committee
card and 1960 USWA membership book (dues record), to his District 20 Staff business cards and
USWA New Member Kit of informational pamphlets. A Christmas card from USWA International, a
CIO tribute to Philip Murray, and an authorization card complete the series.
Series 6- Convention badges. This series consists of fifty-eight convention badges, most with
distinctive medallions attached, for delegates and guests to various USWA and CIO related
constitutional conventions, as well as an acrylic paperweight commemorating the U.S. Bicentenniel
and 40th year of the USWA, a metal honorary membership card, stamped “Carl E. Beck - Local